ELLENSBURG, Wash. -- West Nile virus has cost the life of a 1-year-old quarter horse gelding in Ellensburg.

The state Department of Agriculture announced the death, the third case of equine West Nile virus this year in the state, on Friday.

The Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in Pullman reported the first two cases in Yakima County last week. One horse was euthanized, the other recovered.

The veterinarian who treated the Ellensburg horse reported it had traveled to Othello to pasture but returned to Kittitas County two weeks ago.

West Nile virus is spread by mosquitoes that have fed on an infected bird. The disease can sicken people, horses, many types of birds and other animals. It is not spread from horses to other animals.